The News Letter was part of the Trinity Mirror newspaper group until late-2003 when it was acquired by the 3i group headed by former Mirror Group Newspapers chairman, David Montgomery. It is now operated by a holding company entitled Local Press Ltd.

Founded in 1737, the News Letter claims to be the oldest continually published English language daily newspaper still in existence.

Title

History

Founded in 1737, the News Letter was printed in Joy's Entry in Belfast, named after Protestant Irish Republican Henry Joy McCracken, and was published by the original owner under the "sign of the Peacock" in Bridge Street. Originally published weekly, it became daily in 1855. The title is now located in the utilitarian Boucher industrial estate.

According to the newspaper's owners, "the News Letter...[can claim] the first genuine "world exclusive". The boat carrying the first copy to leave America of the Declaration of Independence, and bound for London, hit stormy waters off the north coast of Ireland. The boat sought refuge in Londonderry port and arrangements were made for the declaration to be sent on horseback to Belfast, where it would be met by another ship for delivery to King George III.

Somehow, and in the best traditions of revelatory journalism, the News Letter editor of the day gained access to the priceless document and duly published it on the front page of the August 23, 1776 edition. Today there is a constant demand for copies of that famous and historical front page."

Politics

The News Letter has historically been a hardline Unionist title, however when it was purchased by the Mirror Group in the 1990s Montgomery, then still with MGN, moved it to a more pro-peace process position. This was continued under the stewardship of the then editor, Nigel Wareing, formerly of the Guardian Media Group. On the 1st of April (April Fool's Day) 1993, the paper published a reader poll. Of those who took part, 42% agreed with the violence of the loyalistparamilitary groups, the UDA and the UVF.

The News Letter was sold by Trinity-Mirror to a venture capital firm 3i in late 2003. In 2004 3i formed a new company, Local Publishing Ltd, to publish the News Letter and its stablemates, the Derry Journal and the Donegal Democrat.

Circulation

Circulation currently stands at approximately 28,000, but this does not include the Farming Life supplement. When Farming Life is sold with the News Letter on Wedsnesdays and Saturdays circulation peaks at around 40,000 and is read across the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland.